The Cochrane Fun Van is here, having made its grand entrance at this year’s Labour Day Parade.
The van is Cochrane’s new mobile recreation vehicle, intent on bringing recreational programs anywhere there are people.
“It’s easy to show up at a playground or park and get people playing,” said Town of Cochrane recreational programmer Deb Maxwell. “But we also know they sometimes need help getting started.”
Maxwell, along with Jody DiCastri, will be staffing the Fun Van, and both feel the key to the program’s success is getting the van to where residents are, like parks and public spaces, both indoors and out.
“Once they get started, magical things can happen,” said DiCastri. “Fun and play can change someone’s whole day, improve their relationships and boost community spirit.”
The Fun Van program was implemented by Tracy Smyth, manager of recreation, culture and the arts for the town, within a budget of $35,000, with $5,000 from Bow RiversEdge Campground and maintenance on the vehicle from Cochrane Toyota for the first three years.
